CIT Sur Marks 60 Years of Driving Economic Growth in Southern Tenerife
The Center for Initiatives and Tourism of Southern Tenerife recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of driving the region's transformation into a major global economic and tourism hub.
Southern Tenerife’s rise as a major European economic hub is largely thanks to the advocacy of the Center for Initiatives and Tourism (CIT) of the Southern Region. As reported by Diario de Avisos, the organization recently celebrated its 60th anniversary at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Arona, with nearly 800 people in attendance. The milestone highlights the region’s dramatic transformation from a rural, subsistence-based economy to a globalized service center.
Founded in 1966 at the Hotel Médano, the organization’s history mirrors the island’s own evolution. During the event, speakers emphasized the CIT’s vital role as a bridge between the private sector and public authorities—a necessity during the early decades when the region lacked basic infrastructure like water, electricity, and proper roads. The leadership of the association’s fifteen presidents, including current head Rafael Dolado and the late Isidro Dardiñas, has been essential in providing a unified voice for the industry through major developments, such as the opening of the Reina Sofía Airport and the management of global health crises.
Looking ahead, the CIT Sur leadership announced the opening of a new tourist information office on Avenida Rafael Puig to increase its presence in high-traffic areas. The organization also continues its focus on education, having taught 150,000 schoolchildren about the importance of the hotel industry to the Canary Islands.
The anniversary event, supported by local municipalities, the Cabildo de Tenerife, and private sponsors, featured a documentary detailing the urban and economic growth of the region. As the industry faces new challenges regarding sustainability and professional standards, the CIT’s 60-year history proves the value of public-private cooperation. What began as a survival strategy for a group of pioneers has become a cornerstone of the Canarian economy. The gala, which opened with a message of solidarity for the people of Venezuela, reaffirmed the commitment of local businesses to keeping the region competitive in an ever-changing international market.